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Oh that stuff from Sitstay sucks! My vet says its too oxidized. He prefers not to give the capsule but recommended Nordic Naturals oil for us. It works great, doesn't oxidize or thicken if left in the fridge and best of all DOES NOT SMELL!!!

I have a hunch that Maggie has a great new holistic vet, and he probably has the best recommendation. Does he prefer to avoid the caps because of absorption problems? I also worry about PCB's and mercury toxicity. As if I didn't have enough to worry about!

The kidney diet moderators are so smart about diet, supplements, herbs, etc that they make me look like a rank amateur. They say to use capsules because of oxidation in liquids. I know people who slit the capsules and squeeze the stuff out onto food, but then you have the stinky ear/breath problem. Kidney folks also say that the caps actually reduce creatinine - don't know if that's true but if so it's major because of real effect on chronic renal failure. They also recommend high doses of CoQ-10 for kidneys, so I've upped that supplement. Bonus is that both supps are good for hearts and kidneys.

I'm going to set an appt. with Susan Wynn, very famous holistic vet who specializes in diet, herbs, supplements, etc. If you google her you can see what a well known expert she is. I need her help as I move to home cooking for the renal dogs and add herbs, etc. I'll see what she says about supps. My dilemma now is that meds that you use for cardiac dogs hurt the kidneys, and SC fluids you use for renal dogs send cardiac dogs into CHF, etc. A real tricky balancing act. Right now four of my dogs are in very early renal failure so I'm not in a crisis yet. I have one renal dog with no cardiac probs, two cardiac dogs with no renal probs, and three who have both cardiac and renal probs. I know a lot about cardiac but I'm just now getting up to speed about renal.

I'm sure Susan Wynn is expensive, plus I'll be buying fancy herbs that are probably pricey. $ is getting to be a real issue. Since Jan I've spent 1300 at cardiologist, over 1000 for superchems and chest x-rays, 800 for dentals, and Capers' meds run 200 per month (viagra is the killer). Plus meds/fluids for other dogs, food, etc. I'm about to place an order for probably 1500 in supplements. I need to start running more frequent superchems to monitor the renal values. It's getting kinda scary - I just never thought I'd have so many very old dogs at the same time. Sorry that I'm venting and I've digressed from the topic......it's just impossible for me to compromise their level of care....so I'm going into debt and not saving for retirement.

Puritan's Pride has the MaxEPA and Co-Q10 on sale... buy 1 get 2 free. I bought some of the MaxEPA to try... but yes my vet says its an absorption problem. However, if the capsules get Paul to remember to feed it to them, I'd rather use that.... better them get some then none.

I was excited to see the CO-Q10 on sale!!

We try and give all other supplements naturally rather than via pill. You'll learn that one soon at your new fancy vet visit Pat

Yup, I know Maggie that it's better to get your vitamins/supplements through actual food than through pills. Same with me - my diet is pure crap but I take all these supps/vitamins - not good

But I'm just trying to do what I can - and I haven't yet been comfortable with home feeding - scared I'll screw it up. I've learned that the calcium/phosphorus balance is very important - esp with renal dogs. My order of powdered calcium just arrived. You can't give renal dogs RMB's because they are way too high in phosphorus. Actually, I'm about to lose my mind over all of this - trying to figure it out.

I'm not going to be able to have Susan Wynn as a regular vet - no way I can afford it. Just hoping to have some consults to get on the right track with preparing food and maybe learn about herbs.

Cathy - really not trying to make people feel sorry for me, but thanks! It will work out. I can always start selling my Cavalier collection on ebay and watch Donna, Paige, Rosalie, Nancy and Bonnie have bidding wars! But I will be careful in the future not to have so many dogs of the same age. All you folks that are acquiring multiple young dogs -- take note!